Radio Equipment Seized from Boston Pirate Radio Station

Radio Equipment Seized from Boston Pirate Radio Station

May 27, 2011 3:09 PM

Boston, MA - May 27, 2011 - On May 13, 2011, federal officials executed a warrant, which has been unsealed, for the seizure of the radio transmission equipment of a pirate radio station broadcasting in Boston. The radio equipment, used to broadcast for Datz Hits Radio 99.7 FM, was located at a residential building in the Mattapan area of Boston. A civil action has been brought seeking forfeiture of the equipment.

According to an affidavit filed with the civil complaint, the radio broadcasting equipment was first discovered by FCC officials at another address in Boston. After FCC officials warned the operators they were broadcasting illegally and asked them to shut down the station, the equipment was moved and the illegal broadcasting resumed. Proceedings were then brought to seize and forfeit the radio broadcasting equipment.

The forfeiture action was brought after complaints were received from a licensed broadcaster about interference with its radio signal, and from the Federal Aviation Administration who complained of interference with radio communications at Logan Airport.